Sometimes we just need to take time to do things for ourselves.  And sometimes those things end up getting pushed to the back burner.  Thankfully, since I’m not actually cooking, this project didn’t get burned – or forgotten!  Ben and Shonda were so gracious to meet me in downtown Charleston in some wedding attire on a muggy day last summer simply so I could practice doing what I love in a city that has SO much charm and life!  It also gave us a chance to celebrate marriage in general.  I’ve talked about it before and I’ll talk about it lots more in the future, but I think it’s worth it.  Marriages, just like all other relationships, have to be nurtured and worked on and taken care of.  And if I have a chance to help a couple celebrate and work on their marriage, then my job just got even better!

As I waded through these images this morning and ran some quick edits over them (because getting it right IN camera is the way to go!), I was reminded of how grateful I am to do something that I enjoy SO much.  And looking at Ben and Shonda and how after just one year of marriage their love had grown so much, it made me smile really big my-cheeks-hurt kind of smiles!

I stopped by a florist the day before to ask about getting a bouquet for this shoot the next day.  I wasn’t 100% sure what I wanted, but I knew I wanted it to be “flowy and romantic”.  And holy moly did they do such an amazing job!  My only regret is that I didn’t get some better photos of just the flowers.

The nooks and crannies of downtown Charleston are swoon worthy.

Seriously you guys… your love makes me smile!

And like *that* they can turn from smiles to incredible model faces.  That’s talent!

Oh how I love this one…!

The thing about wearing wedding attire anywhere is that you WILL get attention.  People love seeing brides and grooms and Ben and Shonda soaked up all of it!  It definitely helped that they were (in a way) celebrating their first anniversary too.

Seems that if you live in Charleston that you know people in Charleston… and on occasion, you’ll wind up seeing their car downtown!

Speaking of nooks and crannies… these spots were so gorgeous.

Y’all.  For real.  It was already hot and steamy that day but you two made it even more so!

I know I’ve shot in this exact spot before, but I LOVE these grey/blue shutters and the window flower boxes.

Thank you guys again for being so amazing that day!  I hope your second year of marriage has been even more wonderful than the first :-)

Thank you so much to the Charleston Flower Market for such a gorgeous bouquet!!